The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) has announced that the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant, located in Matanzas, was taken offline at 12:12 p.m. this Thursday to undergo routine maintenance.
According to the state company's official Facebook page, this technical shutdown is scheduled to last approximately 96 hours, during which planned maintenance work will be performed on the generating unit.
As the most significant thermoelectric facility in the country, the Antonio Guiteras plant has experienced frequent breakdowns and disconnections from the grid in recent years. These issues have contributed to the further decline of Cuba's already fragile electrical generation capacity.
This temporary shutdown happens to coincide with a drop in temperatures across the western and central regions of the island, a situation described as "convenient" due to the reduced energy demand during cooler days.
Despite the company's portrayal of the shutdown as part of a preventive maintenance plan, it takes place against a backdrop of extreme vulnerability within the Cuban electrical system, plagued by fuel shortages and deteriorating technical conditions of several generating units.
Moreover, citizens have reported experiencing power outages lasting over 40 consecutive hours in some areas of Cuba in recent days.
With an installed capacity of nearly 250 megawatts, the Antonio Guiteras plant is a cornerstone of Cuba's thermal energy generation. Any prolonged disruption in its operation directly affects the stability of the electrical service and the frequency of blackouts across the nation.
Impact of Antonio Guiteras Plant Shutdown
Why was the Antonio Guiteras plant taken offline?
The Antonio Guiteras plant was shut down for routine maintenance to address planned work on the generating unit.
How will this shutdown affect Cuba's electrical system?
The shutdown may lead to increased instability in the electrical service and more frequent blackouts, as the plant is a major contributor to Cuba's energy generation.
What challenges does the Cuban electrical system currently face?
The Cuban electrical system is facing challenges such as fuel shortages and the poor technical condition of several generating units, contributing to its vulnerability.